Water-Food-Energy Nexus in a Transboundary River Basin: A Metabolic Perspective Using the MUSIASEM Framework

As complex and interconnected systems, water, food, and energy significantly influence each other, whereas quantitative and qualitative changes in one system can adversely impact the others. The Harirud River Basin, located at the border between Iran and Afghanistan, exemplifies this interconnectedness, serving as a crucial resource for supplying drinking water to the metropolitan city of Mashhad and supporting agricultural needs in the Sarakhs Plain in Iran. Similarly, in Afghanistan, this river is essential for agriculture in Herat and plays a vital role in hydropower energy generation. However, in recent years, water supply, a critical element for agricultural and energy development in the basin, has encountered significant challenges. Factors such as political, social, hydrological issues, and resource management inefficiencies have contributed to these challenges at the basin level. Using the metabolic concept and nexus indicators, this research provides an analytical framework to examine and compare the performance and processes of water, food, and energy systems at national and basin scales. The quantification within this approach is based on credible data and resources available at the basin level. The findings of this study indicate a strong interdependency between water, food, and energy systems within the basin and its riparian countries.